Editorial

There are a number of issues for which people choose to go under the knife. Whether it's to fix a condition or simply to improve a person's appearance, plastic surgery has increased in popularity over the years for a variety of reasons. Now, a new study suggests people could be opting for plastic surgery aimed at a little mood boost.

Research published in Clinical Psychological Science reports that plastic surgery patients could experience more joy in life, a higher sense of satisfaction and greater self-esteem. The study's authors looked at nearly 550 first-time patients and more than 260 people who had always wanted plastic surgery but ultimately decided not to go through with the procedure. These groups were compared to more than 1,000 people who have never been interested in cosmetic surgery. Within the different groups, there were no differences in terms of mental health and overall life satisfaction.

The questionnaire
The research authors used psychological tests on the patients prior to their surgery, as well as three, six and 12 months after the procedure. In order to gauge expectations prior to surgery, some of the questions on the psychological test involved on the test included "All of my problems will be solved," "I'll be a completely new person," and "I want to develop more self-confidence." The study's authors found that only 12 percent of respondents felt the first two unrealistic answers would come true following surgery.

Patients show happy results
When comparing the results of the psychological tests of the surgical patients to those who had not had plastic surgery, people who went under the knife had higher self-esteem, experienced less anxiety and felt healthier overall. Additionally, those who opted for the procedure reported that they were happier with their bodies as a whole, not just the area on which they had work done.

Plastic surgery a growing trend
The increase in self-esteem following surgery could be behind the growing number of people who have opted to go under the knife in recent years. According to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, more than 10 million cosmetic procedures were performed last year in the U.S. alone.

The mission of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) includes medical education, public education
and patient advocacy. Plastic Surgery News Briefs are summaries of current stories found through various news and magazine
outlets that relate to or mention plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures. The views expressed in these news articles do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of ASAPS, but are merely published as an educational service to our members and the general
public. For additional information on these subjects and other plastic surgery related topics, please go to
www.surgery.org

September 17, 2013 - It seems to be almost cyclical - every few months, a brand new, game-changing anti-wrinkle cream is introduced to the market, only to face lawsuits due to suggestions that the "scientific" claims made on the side of the bottle are absolute bunk.

September 17, 2013 - It seems to be almost cyclical - every few months, a brand new, game-changing anti-wrinkle cream is introduced to the market, only to face lawsuits due to suggestions that the "scientific" claims made on the side of the bottle are absolute bunk.